Wildwood Swears in New Police Brass, 7 New Officers

After taking his oath of office, Capt. Joseph Murphy receives his new badge 
from his wife, Mary Nell and their daughters, Carly, Grace and Joelle.

PRESS RELEASE

WILDWOOD – Gold badges demonstrating the ranks of captain and lieutenant were pinned to the chests of two of this city’s finest during a promotional ceremony that also included the swearing in of seven new officers.

Before a standing room only crowd that included a long blue line of fellow officers from their department as well as from throughout the area,

Capt. Joseph Murphy and Lt. Edward Ramsey, stood with members of their families as Wildwood Municipal Court Judge Dorothy Garrabrant administered the oaths of office on January 9.

Initially hired as a Class II officer in 1997, Murphy was appointed a full time officer in 1999. Since that time he served as a patrol officer, training instructor and currently instructs police recruits in firearms training and tactical shooting.

He is a member of the Wildwood police Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team. He was recently selected to attend the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy in Quantico, Va.

Lieutenant Edward Ramsey takes the oath of office as his father looks on.

Ramsey was hired in 1993 as a parking enforcement officer, became a Class II officer in 1994 and joined the force as a full time patrol officer in 1996.  Since then he has served as a member of the Cape May County Narcotics Task Force, Wildwood Detective Division and, in 2010, named full time sergeant in the patrol division.

Certified as a police training instructor he also serves as assistant commander for the Cape May County SWAT team.

“The first time we interviewed these men I knew they were the guys we needed to add to the department,” said retired Wildwood Police Chief Steven Long. “It’s always important when you’re chief that when you leave you feel that you are leaving the department in capable hands.

"These are the group of guys who can take it to the next level. As far as I’m concerned, these guys are more than capable and will take it to the next level. This police department will be well-served.”

In addition to promoting Murphy and Ramsey, seven new police officers were sworn in prior to their beginning training at the Cape May County Police Academy.